Patent Application
20240358163
The present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous carbon dioxide blocking system. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous carbon dioxide blocking system for infant mattresses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous infant mattress carbon dioxide blocking system and other carbon dioxide dissipation apparatuses.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Mattress pads are commonly used to protect a mattress from accidents and contaminants and to increase a bed's comfort. Traditional mattress pads are formed of three layers-a soft top layer, a cushioned middle layer, and a waterproof bottom layer. The soft top layer is generally a fabric and may comprise, for example, cotton sheeting. The middle layer provides cushion and a pooling area for liquids such as urine. The cushioned middle layer may comprise a layer of fiber fill. The bottom water proof layer prevents liquids form reaching the mattress and may comprise, for example, vinyl PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The three layers are often attached to each other via quilting.
The top layer is designed for liquids to permeate or penetrate so that liquids do not puddle below a person (here referred to as “the infant”) lying on the mattress. The layer is permeable to both liquids (such as urine) and gases (such as air and carbon dioxide).
The middle layer is designed to provide as area of space between the top and bottom layers for liquids to pool and not be against the infant's skin. This area, being designed to pool liquids, can also pool or retain Carbon Dioxide (CO2) that is expelled from the infant. Since the top layer is permeable, the CO2 can be inhaled through the porous top layer and into the baby's lungs creating a potentially very dangerous environment call CO2 rebreathing (CO2RB) which can lead to serious injury or death.
The bottom layer is designed to be impermeable to liquids in order to keep liquids away from the mattress. This also means that CO2 cannot pass through the bottom layer and are the middle layer since CO2 is heavier than the surrounding air. The potential hazard that could lead to CO2RB is that the traditional mattress pad is not fully impermeable to air at the top 2 layers.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a carbon dioxide blocking system for use with mattresses to block carbon dioxide from entering, for example, a mattress pad.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.
A carbon dioxide blocking system is provided comprising a sheeting material treated with a waterproofing agent such that the carbon dioxide blocking system is fully, or nearly fully, impermeable to liquids and gases. The sheeting material may be a microfiber polyester woven sheeting material and the waterproofing agent may be thermoplastic polyurethane. The sheeting material is treated with the waterproofing agent. The treated material comprises a single layer of fabric. The sheeting material provides a soft upper surface, like a sheet, while the waterproofing agent imparts impermeability to the sheeting material such that the carbon dioxide blocking system may serve as a mattress protector to block liquids and also to block the permeability and retention of carbon dioxide to help prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:
The present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous carbon dioxide blocking system. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous carbon dioxide blocking system for infant mattresses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a novel and advantageous infant mattress carbon dioxide blocking system and other carbon dioxide dissipation apparatuses.
A carbon dioxide blocking system is provided comprising a sheeting material treated with a waterproofing agent such that the carbon dioxide blocking system is fully, or nearly fully, impermeable to liquids and gases. The sheeting material may be a microfiber polyester woven sheeting material and the waterproofing agent may be thermoplastic polyurethane. The sheeting material is treated with the waterproofing agent. The treated material comprises a single layer of fabric. The sheeting material provides a soft upper surface, like a sheet, while the waterproofing agent imparts impermeability to the sheeting material such that the carbon dioxide blocking system may serve as a mattress protector to block liquids and also to block the permeability and retention of carbon dioxide to help prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing. The carbon dioxide blocking system prevents exhaled air from getting trapped between fabric layers. It helps prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing, something suspected to be a contributor to accidental suffocation. It eliminates concerns about fabric and mattress layers.
In general, any suitable material for providing a carbon dioxide blocking barrier over a mattress may be used. Such material may be a non-permeable material. For example, the carbon dioxide blocking barrier may comprise a polyester microfiber material treated or backed with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In other embodiments, the carbon dioxide blocking barrier may comprise acrylic, a polyurethane coating (PU), or other waterproofing agent.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide blocking system comprises an all-in-one fitted sheet and mattress cover. The carbon dioxide blocking system includes a treated fabric that provides a soft fabric top surface for infants to sleep comfortably, the fabric being treated with a waterproofing agent to help protect the mattress from absorbing moisture and messes.
The carbon dioxide blocking system may comprise a sheeting material treated with a waterproofing agent such that the carbon dioxide blocking system is fully, or nearly fully, impermeable to liquids and gases. In one embodiment, the sheeting material is a 100% microfiber polyester woven sheeting material and the waterproofing agent is TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). It is to be appreciated that, in other embodiments, other fabrics may be used.
The sheeting material is treated with the waterproofing agent. The treated material comprises a single layer of fabric. The sheeting material provides a soft upper/top surface, like a sheet, while the waterproofing agent imparts impermeability to the sheeting material such that the carbon dioxide blocking system may serve as a mattress protector to block liquids and also to block the permeability and retention of CO2 to help prevent CO2RB. In some embodiments, the treated sheeting material has an upper surface having a texture that is substantially the same as an upper/top surface of untreated sheeting material. Because of there is no layer between the sheeting material and the waterproofing agent, there is no place for CO2 to pool that could potentially be rebreathed by an infant.
In one embodiment, the sheeting material comprises a blend of polyester microfiber fabric that use fibers with a particular fiber linear mass density (mix of 75 denier and 160 denier poly fibers, fabric weight (80 GSM) and woven construction (Weft 60 and Warp 91 Thread Count prior to coating). The waterproofing agent is a TPU coating that is heat cured with the fabric to form a strong bond with the fabric that yields a single unitary layer, such that there are no layers between which CO2 can pool.
In another embodiment, the sheeting material comprises a blend of cotton fabric (uses 40/1 yarn count cotton), fabric weight (90 gsm) and woven construction (Weft 110 and Warp 90 Thread Count prior to coating). The waterproofing agent is a TPU coating that is heat cured with the fabric to form a strong bond with the fabric that yields a single unitary layer, such that there are no layers between which CO2 can pool.
In some embodiments, a carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector is provided.
The treated material of the carbon dioxide blocking system is highly flexible and can be constructed into an all in one carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector that can used with any size mattress (crib, mini-crib, cradle, bassinet, play yard, changing pad, etc). The sheet and mattress protector may comprise a single sheet of treated fabric that is formed to extend over a mattress, around sides of the mattress, and to the bottom of the mattress.
The carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector 10 has an upper surface 12 and a perimeter 14. The perimeter 14 that is positioned under the mattress in use. Corners of the carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector 10 form pockets 16. The pockets may be any suitable size for fitting to a selected mattress. In one embodiment, the pockets are approximately 9 inches (23 cm) deep. The perimeter may have clastic attached thereto. The elastic may be continuous or may along only portions of the perimeter, such as at the corners. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the treated material may be incorporated directly into the construction of the mattress. In other embodiments, additional layers, such as cushioning layers may be provided beneath the treated material of the carbon dioxide blocking system. Because the treated material is impermeable, there is no risk of liquid or gas penetrating beneath the treated material.
The treated material of the carbon dioxide blocking system was tested to evaluate air permeability using test method ASTM D737. The results were ‘nil,’ indicating no air (or gas) permeability. Accordingly, no CO2 is not able to permeate the carbon dioxide blocking system. When configured and used as a carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector, any CO2 expelled by an infant is free to mix into surrounding air naturally without risk of being rebreathed beyond any normal levels.
The carbon dioxide blocking system substantially prevents exhaled air from getting trapped between fabric layers and helps prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing, a phenomenon suspected to be a contributor to accidental suffocation. This adds a significant safety element. The carbon dioxide blocking system further eliminates concerns about interaction of layers.
The carbon dioxide blocking system helps maintain integrity of a mattress over which it is provided. The carbon dioxide blocking system maintains the safety and integrity of the mattress by covering the mattress with only a single layer of fabric to ensure the firm side of the mattress stays firm for infants under 12 months.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide blocking system is durable and easy to care for. It may be machine washed warm and tumble dry low. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide blocking system may be wrinkle-free and shrink resistant. It can be laundered time after time without having to worry about fit issues causing unsafe gaps between the mattress and sides.
The carbon dioxide blocking system may be provided in any suitable size. For example, in one embodiment, the system is sized to fit full-size crib mattresses-Continuous extra wide elastic and 9″ (23 cm) deep pockets help ensure a secure fit for full-size crib mattresses.
In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector is provided comprising a treated material that provides a soft fabric top surface for infants to sleep comfortably with waterproofing to help protect the mattress from absorbing moisture and messes. The carbon dioxide blocking sheet and mattress protector may be constructed to eliminate the need for a mattress pad and maintain the safety and integrity of the mattress. The carbon dioxide blocking system helps block exhaled air from getting trapped between fabric layers to help prevent carbon dioxide rebreathing, a phenomenon suspected to be a contributor to accidental suffocation. The carbon dioxide blocking system acts as a solid surface to eliminate the sandwich effect found in products, like padded bumpers (banned in the US in 2022) creating a safer sleep space from birth to 12 months.
As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an element may still actually contain such element as long as there is generally no significant effect thereof.
To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.
Additionally, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of [X] and [Y],” where X and Y are different components that may be included in an embodiment of the present disclosure, means that the embodiment could include component X without component Y, the embodiment could include the component Y without component X, or the embodiment could include both components X and Y. Similarly, when used with respect to three or more components, such as “at least one of [X], [Y], and [Z],” the phrase means that the embodiment could include any one of the three or more components, any combination or sub-combination of any of the components, or all of the components.
In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/462,186, entitled Carbon Dioxide Blocking System, and filed Apr. 26, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63462186 | Apr 2023 | US |
